Chapter 238: Battlefront. (8)

It was a renowned family, counted among the top prestigious families, positioned just below the Four Great Families.

Warriors hailing from the Hwangbo Family, along with the Peng Family, were known for their exceptionally sturdy physiques.

They were a top-tier family in martial arts, standing alongside the Bi Family, the clan of the Fist Master Bi-ju.

This was evident from the fact that, following Kwon-wang Yeon Il-cheon, who was the greatest under heaven and repelled the Blood Fiend’s bloody rampage,

Several names from the Hwangbo Family appeared among those who inherited the title of the previous Kwon-wang.

It was certain that they couldn’t be ignored in the martial arts sphere.

However.

The pride and self-esteem associated with being a renowned family…

…could easily lead to arrogance and conceit, depending on how you looked at it.

The current Hwangbo Family, much like other renowned families, had many individuals filled with arrogant dispositions.

It couldn’t be helped.

The Hwangbo Family wasn’t just one of the many scattered families across the Central Plains; it was a top-tier renowned family.

Possessing numerous physical blessings, they boasted many famous masters throughout the Central Plains.

Unless one was among the Four Great Families or the Nine Sects, there was no need to feel intimidated or subservient.

Simply possessing the privileges and talents as a blood relative of the main family was enough to make one stand tall.

Their self-esteem must have reached the heavens.

Just like others in renowned families.

That’s what a warrior receiving the privileges of a blood relative was like.

It wasn’t strange that those who maintained humility and courtesy were rarer.

This statement resonated even more with Hwangbo Seon, who had lived his life as a collateral relative under the main family’s bloodline.

Because he was a collateral relative, not of the main family.

Furthermore, Hwangbo Seon, having inherited the Hwangbo bloodline thinly and thus not possessing their characteristic sturdy physique, had lived his life enduring the contemptuous and disdainful gazes from the main family’s blood relatives.

His slender frame and smaller build were unsuitable for learning the Hwangbo Family’s martial arts.

Moreover, possessing a frail disposition, he was easily noticeable to predators.

For a collateral relative without talent, the main family was like hell.

A place teeming with monstrous individuals who treated him like a toy.

A place where those hiding behind the facade of a renowned family donned arrogance and harbored smirks.

That was how Hwangbo Seon saw the main family of the Hwangbo Family.

Despite all this, the reason Hwangbo Seon couldn’t leave and escape the family was…

…because he bore the Hwangbo surname, regardless of anything else.

That fact alone became his chains,

and he would have to live bound by these fetters.

Perhaps, for his entire life.

He would live like a slave beneath them, enduring a hellish existence.

How could he possibly dare to rebel against the main family?

How could he raise a banner of defiance against a renowned family at that?

He could only resign himself and live on.

That was the future Hwangbo Seon envisioned.

It certainly would have been.

‘What in the world is that….’

Hwangbo Seon felt agonizing pain from the marks of violence all over his body, yet…

…more than the immediate pain, all he felt was astonishment at the scene before his eyes.

Tuduk-!

“Kkyaaaak!”

The sounds of bones breaking and screams echoed from all directions.

Along with that, individuals clad in deep yellow martial uniforms began to slump to the ground or fall, one by one.

Not a single one was unharmed.

Everyone had something broken,

or was spitting blood.

Udug-!

“Kkeureuk…!”

Another person collapsed and rolled on the floor.

Hwangbo Seon couldn’t help but be greatly surprised upon recognizing the face of the fallen individual.

“…Hut!”

The one who spat blood and lost consciousness was…

…the unit leader of the guards who protected the main family’s blood relatives.

As far as Hwangbo Seon knew, he was past forty and heard to be a master who had surpassed the wall.

To fall so easily…

“…This is unbelievable…”

It was an impossible event.

That this many people couldn’t capture just one person and ended up like this.

“…Just who is that person?”

Hwangbo Seon clutched his throbbing chest in pain.

He gazed at the warrior standing alone not far away.

His sharp, fierce gaze made it impossible to meet his eyes directly, but…

…at least, he didn’t look older than himself.

In fact, compared to the others scattered around, his build wasn’t particularly large.

If anything, perhaps he was on the smaller side.

Maybe even smaller than himself.

‘How could someone like that possibly….’

Hwangbo Seon couldn’t comprehend it.

Especially when he saw who was being held in the warrior’s hand.

‘First Young Master… lost?’

In the hands of the nameless young warrior was Hwangbo Cheok, the next head of the Hwangbo Family and the man who would lead it in the future.

Hwangbo Cheok’s thick neck was held in the warrior’s small hand.

Hwangbo Cheok’s body, which should have weighed heavily in proportion to his large build,

was being held so effortlessly by that warrior.

He saw it clearly with his own eyes.

He saw Hwangbo Cheok, whom Hwangbo Seon had feared so much, being beaten without even the slightest resistance.

Hwangbo Cheok’s fist, which looked like it could dwarf Hwangbo Seon’s belly, shattered with the youth’s casual gesture.

And his knees, which seemed unbreakable, buckled like snapping twigs.

How could this be possible?

Even Hwangbo Cheok, along with the surrounding Hwangbo Family warriors who had joined in,

that young warrior seemed to face no difficulty handling so many people at once.

‘I couldn’t even see him move in the first place….’

Yes, it would be more accurate to say I couldn’t even tell how it happened.

Because I couldn’t even catch sight of how that warrior moved.

As surprise and self-loathing mingled, shifting into an unknown emotion…

“Tsk.”

The sound of the unidentified warrior, who had knocked everyone around him down, clicking his tongue was heard.

“…Ah, they were so damn annoying I just beat them up… Shit.”

Despite his powerful martial arts, his tone was quite thug-like.

“If this happens, that crazy guy will probably say he caught a good one and try to use me… What should I do? Should I just bury them all underground so no one finds out?”

He said it so nonchalantly that I thought I misheard for a moment.

The words were incredibly cruel.

Burying them all underground… What kind of terrifying… !

“It’s a shame there are still eyes left watching, though…”

“Hup…!”

The youth’s eyes turned this way.

Meeting those crimson eyes, Hwangbo Seon had to stifle a scream that tried to escape him.

Coupled with his fierce face, those blazing red eyes were too terrifying to meet.

How can a person look so terrifying…?

And.

“Keup…”

It seemed Hwangbo Seon wasn’t the only one thinking that.

Hwangbo Seon turned his head at a sound from behind him for a moment.

“Huh…?”

To his surprise, another person was standing there.

“I-Second Young Master…?”

“…”

He was Hwangbo Cheol-wi, the Second Young Master of the Hwangbo Family.

Hwangbo Cheol-wi was the person Hwangbo Seon felt most comfortable meeting recently.

Originally, like Hwangbo Cheok, he used to look down on and despise Hwangbo Seon, but…

…at some point, he stopped showing that behavior.

‘…Did Second Young Master not join the fight?’

If so, why?

Well, who would easily jump into a fight where someone was getting beaten like that?

Still, Hwangbo Cheol-wi, watching from the back while his own brother was being beaten, looked somewhat strange.

Just as he was momentarily flustered.

“Hey. You there.”

“…!”

The youth who had wrecked everyone around him walked towards them.

Hwangbo Seon genuinely wanted to escape, even if it meant crawling on the ground, but…

his legs, frozen by fear, remained stiff against his will.

“Oh, so it’s you.”

The youth grinned as he looked at Hwangbo Cheol-wi.

That smile was so terrifying that Hwangbo Seon couldn’t help but tremble uncontrollably.

‘…I think I might have slightly peed myself.’

He hoped it wasn’t true, but since he couldn’t feel his lower body, he couldn’t be sure.

The youth approached, smiling broadly, and spoke.

“You came here too?”

Who was he talking to?

Hwangbo Seon wondered for a moment, but then heard a voice answering from beside him.

“…It’s been a while.”

Surprisingly, the youth was talking to Hwangbo Cheol-wi.

Judging by his reaction, Hwangbo Cheol-wi seemed to know him too.

“Nice to see you, has it been a year?”

“Y-Yes.”

Meanwhile, Hwangbo Seon saw something.

As the youth approached, Hwangbo Cheol-wi took a step back.

“I heard the Hwangbo Family came to the front lines, did you send two blood relatives from the main family?”

“…”

“You should answer, right?”

“Y-Yes! I came along because there was something I missed last time.”

At Hwangbo Cheol-wi’s hurried words, the youth glanced behind him and asked.

“Is that your brother, then?”

“…Yes. He’s the one who will become the Hwangbo Family’s head.”

“That guy?”

“…”

His tone sounded like, ‘That little thing is the head?’ expressing surprise.

Even though he knew they were from the Hwangbo Family, and even that the man he had beaten unconscious was destined to be the Hwangbo Family’s head…

The youth seemed completely unfazed.

In fact, his expression suggested he disliked it even more.

Hwangbo Seon found that strange.

“No wonder his words were shit… If I had known earlier, I would have beaten him more.”

“…What do you mean.”

“Since we’re on the topic, should I beat him some more?”

Just as the youth was about to take a step, perhaps intending to beat him further.

He looked back at Hwangbo Cheol-wi.

“Oh, right.”

“…?”

“Are you going to get revenge?”

“Huh…? Oh, no. What did you say?”

“I beat up your brother, didn’t I? So are you going to attack me now?”

“…”

The way he asked with a swagger was quite annoying and unsightly even to Hwangbo Seon, but…

…compared to the display he just showed, calling him a neighborhood thug felt too distant.

At the same time, Hwangbo Seon was curious about Hwangbo Cheol-wi’s response.

Even if the youth’s way of asking was strange.

After all, it was true that his own brother had been wrecked right before his eyes.

“…Well…”

Hwangbo Cheol-wi’s eyes darted around.

His deep deliberation and 고민 (consideration/worry) could be felt even from here.

Would Hwangbo Cheol-wi remain still, having witnessed his brother’s thrashing right in front of him?

Or would he raise his fists to protect his honor and brotherly loyalty?

After a brief moment.

Hwangbo Cheol-wi seemed to have finished his deliberation.

He faced the youth, his resolve clearly visible on his face.

Even from Hwangbo Seon’s perspective, it was an unwavering resolve.

His thick muscles bulged.

An unknown aura emanated.

It seemed Hwangbo Cheol-wi intended to fight the youth.

Tuduk-

The youth stretched his neck, looking at Hwangbo Cheol-wi like that.

Could he possibly win against the youth who had treated Hwangbo Cheok like a child…?

As Hwangbo Seon watched this with slightly trembling eyes.

Hwangbo Cheol-wi growled at the youth and spoke.

“Isn’t it natural for men to fight and live? I believe interfering in this matter would be unmanly!”

“…”

“I, Hwangbo Cheol-wi, will not disrespect my brother’s will by ignoring it.”

“…Oh, okay.”

The conclusion was that he wouldn’t butt in.

Watching Hwangbo Cheol-wi declare that so confidently.

Hwangbo Seon felt embarrassed himself.

‘Hmm…?’

Meanwhile, was it a mistake?

Leaving Hwangbo Cheol-wi behind, Hwangbo Seon felt the youth’s eyes looking at him.

‘I-I don’t think it’s a mistake…?’

Hwangbo Seon desperately hoped it was a mistake, but…

Unfortunately, the youth’s eyes were indeed directed at him.

His clearly shining red eyes were fixed on him,

and Hwangbo Seon couldn’t bring himself to meet them.

‘…Why, why are you looking at me?’

What was even more chilling was that he seemed to be smiling slightly.

Could it be…

Was he planning to beat me instead of Hwangbo Cheol-wi?

As questions piled up and fear reached its peak, making his Adam’s apple bob.

Hwangbo Seon could only stare desperately at the floor, too terrified to meet his gaze.

---

After grabbing the idiots lying on the ground and tossing them all in one place.

To the Hwangbo fatty standing there blankly… By the way, what was his name? I can barely remember.

Anyway.

I told the standing Hwangbo guy to take all the guys lying on the ground with him.

He answered yes to my words, but…

his demeanor was far from enthusiastic.

Still, he’ll probably do as he’s told.

Honestly, I wanted to beat them more to vent my anger, but…

‘I saw a familiar face after a long time, so I should hold back.’

I decided to let it slide.

‘Although the vibe is different from what I remember, it was definitely him.’

The man lying on the ground, whimpering as if he’d been thoroughly beaten.

A warrior with a frail face and an ordinary build, unbefitting his surname.

‘Muk-kwon.’

The previous Demon, my subordinate warrior. Muk-kwon Hwangbo Seon.

It was definitely him.

‘I had heard rough news about him through the Beggars’ Sect, but I didn’t expect to see him here.’

Muk-kwon was a master in his previous life who made a name for himself by slaughtering demons like they were nothing, but…

…due to events that transpired in the Hwangbo Family, he defected to the Demonic Cult and lived his life as a demon.

‘The atmosphere is quite different, though.’

Recalling Muk-kwon from that time.

He was a man of few words, just like his epithet.

Not only did he carry out orders without hesitation,

but he never shied away from a fight, regardless of whether the opponent was stronger or weaker than him.

He gave off a feeling far removed from frailty or weakness.

‘So, he was like this back then.’

The Hwangbo Seon I faced now looked incredibly frail, contrary to my expectations.

Seeing him tremble in fear made me feel pity, even as an observer.

‘How strange.’

A warrior who supposedly mastered the Hwangbo Family’s secret techniques.

To be such a weakling at this point.

It was truly baffling.

Perhaps he would gain some fortuitous encounter soon?

Furthermore, thinking about the guy who was supposed to be the next head of the Hwangbo Family…

Honestly, I had no particular feelings about him.

He had a good build, but was a half-wit who couldn’t use it properly.

In fact, Hwangbo… Cheol, whoever that was, who was sneakily watching from behind, seemed much better in terms of talent.

‘Maybe I should have beaten him half to death.’

All I felt towards him was regret, rather than any particular sentiment.

Hwangbo Cheok was the reason and the main culprit behind Muk-kwon Hwangbo Seon’s later descent into becoming a demon.

In the past.

Hwangbo Seon, who had returned after hunting demons under orders, witnessed a shocking sight immediately upon returning to his family.

Hwangbo Cheok, envious and jealous of Hwangbo Seon, who had begun making a name for himself in the Central Plains along with the bloody rampage…

…killed Hwangbo Seon’s wife and young child.

And then attempted to kill Hwangbo Seon himself. That was the turning point.

Thinking about this…

I considered eliminating Hwangbo Cheok now, in advance, but…

I decided to hold back, hiding my reluctance.

‘Revenge isn’t something you do for someone else.’

If I had asked Muk-kwon from my past life about this…

he would have told me not to.

If he were to do anything, perhaps he would have asked for a little help so he could get his revenge himself.

During the time I lived as a demon.

Recalling the face of the man who walked beside me.

I nodded slightly.

“…I can do at least that much.”

Although helping him was several times harder than dealing with it myself…

I could do that much.

‘I don’t know if the current Hwangbo Seon would want that, though.’

Seeing him earlier, he seemed quite intimidated.

Why?

I looked at him with the friendliest eyes I could manage because I was glad to see him.

“Ah.”

Perhaps it was because of the guy next to him, that he was scared?

Well, who wouldn’t be scared with someone that big standing next to them?

Even I would be scared if someone like that stood blankly beside me while I was in agony.

“Besides, I did save him, sort of. He must have a good impression of me, right?”

It must have been so.

Didn’t I appear like a hero to Hwangbo Seon?

“Hmm, I feel so refreshed.”

Maybe it’s because I did something good for a change.

My body, worn out by fatigue, felt completely refreshed.